New Army medical system easier to navigate

The Army's Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) program has fielded software designed to make it easier for forward-deployed medical units to keep their medical supplies stocked.

Using the Windows-based Defense Medical Logistics Standard System Customer Assistant Module (DCAM), users can view online catalogs, submit orders and track the orders' status. The system also includes a database so users can monitor their inventory electronically.

The application, developed by the Joint Medical Logistics Functional Development Center, provides better usability, security and a more centralized approach to ordering medical supplies than older software, the Theater Army Medical Management Information System Customer Assistance Module (TCAM), according to MC4.

'From the user perspective, the major difference between using DCAM and TCAM is navigating through the program," said Navy Lieutenant Darryl Green, 1st Medical Brigade. "The toolbar has been changed, making it much easier to use."

Maj. Frederick White, of the Army 6th Medical Logistics Management Center, said DCAM also includes a secure port that increases the security of passwords and order information.

MC4 said DCAM is being deployed to combat medical units operating in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. MC4 has fielded more than 16,000 tactical medical systems that consist of handheld, laptop and server computers to units operating in those countries, and has trained more than 17,000 care providers on their use.

Bob Brewin is the editor at large with Federal Computer Week, an 1105 Government Information Group publication.